We should all be thankful for the things we have, the family we have become and the prospective of the important work we are doing for the future of our children and our nation.

1. Happy Holidays
From Jeff Piontek

2. The Capitol Christmas
tree in Washington, D.C.,
is decorated with 3,000
ornaments that are the
handiwork of U.S.
schoolchildren.
Encircling evergreens in
the 'Pathway of Peace‘
represent the states.

3. The world's largest Christmas tree display rises up the slopes
of Monte Ingino outside of Gubbio, in Italy's Umbria region.
Composed of about 500 lights connected by 40,000 feet of wire,
the 'tree' is a modern marvel for an ancient city

4. A Christmas tree befitting Tokyo's nighttime neon display is
projected onto the exterior of the Grand Prince Hotel Akasaka.

5. Illuminating the Gothic facades of Prague's Old Town Square,
and casting its glow over the manger display of the famous
Christmas market, is a grand tree cut in the Sumava mountains in the
southern Czech Republic.

6. Venice 's Murano Island
renowned throughout the
world for its quality
glasswork is home to the
tallest glass tree in the
world. Sculpted by master
glass blower Simone
Cenedese, the artistic
Christmas tree is a modern
reflection of the holiday
season.

7. Moscow celebrates Christmas
according to the Russian
Orthodox calendar on Jan. 7.
For weeks beforehand, the city
is alive with festivities in
anticipation of Father Frost's
arrival on his magical troika
with the Snow Maiden.
He and his helper deliver gifts
under the New Year tree, or
yolka, which is traditionally a fir.

8. The largest Christmas tree in Europe (more than 230 feet tall)
can be found in the Praça do Comércio in Lisbon, Portugal.
Thousands of lights adorn the tree, adding to the special
enchantment of the city during the holiday season.

9. 'Oh Christmas tree, oh
Christmas tree':
Even in its humblest
attire, aglow beside a
tiny chapel in Germany's
Karwendel mountains,
a Christmas tree is a
wondrous sight.

10. Ooh la la Galeries Lafayette! In Paris, even the Christmas trees are
chic. With its monumental, baroque dome, plus 10 stories of lights
and high fashion, it's no surprise this show-stopping department
store draws more visitors than the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower

11. In addition to the Vatican's heavenly evergreen, St. Peter's Square
in Rome hosts a larger-than-life nativity scene in front of the obelisk

12. The Christmas tree that greets
revelers at the Puerta del Sol is
dressed for a party. Madrid's
two-week celebration makes
millionaires along with
merrymakers.
On Dec. 22, a lucky citizen will
win El Gordo (the fat one), the
world's biggest lottery.

13. A token of gratitude for Britain's
aid during World War II,
the Christmas tree in London's
Trafalgar Square has been the
annual gift of the people of
Norway since 1947.

14. Drink a glass of gluhwein from the holiday market at the Romer
Frankfurt's city hall since 1405 and enjoy a taste of Christmas past.

15. Against a backdrop of tall, shadowy firs, a rainbow trio of
Christmas trees lights up the night (location unknown).

16. There is one Christmas Carol that
has always baffled me.
 What in the world do leaping lords,
French hens, swimming swans, and
especially the partridge who won't
come out of the pear tree have to do
with Christmas?
 Well, here is "the rest of the story"!
This comes along every Christmas and
true or not I love reflecting on it!

17.  Each element in the carol has a code word for a
religious reality which the children could
remember.
 -The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.
 -Two turtle doves were the Old and New
Testaments.
 -Three French hens stood for faith, hope and
love.
 -The four calling birds were the four gospels of
Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.
 The five golden rings recalled the Torah or
Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.

18.  -The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of
creation.
 -Seven swans a-swimming represented the
sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit--
Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Co
ntribution, Leadership, and Mercy.
 -The eight maids a-milking were the eight
beatitudes.
 -Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the
Holy Spirit--
Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness
, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.
 -The ten lords a-leaping were the ten
commandments.

19.  -The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven
faithful disciples.
 -The twelve drummers drumming symbolized
the twelve points of belief in the Apostles'
Creed.
 So there is your history for today. This
knowledge was shared with me and I found it
interesting and enlightening and now I know
how that strange song became a Christmas
Carol...so pass it on if you wish.'
 Merry (Twelve Days of) Christmas Everyone

20. CHRISTMAS AT ARLINGTON CEMETERY

22.  We should all be thankful for the things
we have, the family we have become and
the prospective of the important work we
are doing for the future of our children
and our nation.